Rolex Buying Question

[SLRdude]

Believe it or not, I am thinking about getting my first Rolex.
It might not be exactlly the one I want, but the price is right.

My scare: Customs. It would be shipped from Cyprus. I trust the seller, so no worries there.

Can any of you give me some advice on what should I expect and what risks I would be taking if I have that shipped over?

Thanks a lot guys.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by comatox

Believe it or not, I am thinking about getting my first Rolex.
It might not be exactlly the one I want, but the price is right.

My scare: Customs. It would be shipped from Cyprus. I trust the seller, so no worries there.

Can any of you give me some advice on what should I expect and what risks I would be taking if I have that shipped over?

Thanks a lot guys.

Congrats, Chip!! I'm very happy for you. Which model is this one? Hope everything works out smoothly and without any hitch.

Good luck - JJ

[OysterDavid]

Originally Posted by comatox

Believe it or not, I am thinking about getting my first Rolex.
It might not be exactlly the one I want, but the price is right.

My scare: Customs. It would be shipped from Cyprus. I trust the seller, so no worries there.

Can any of you give me some advice on what should I expect and what risks I would be taking if I have that shipped over?

Thanks a lot guys.

There is some degree of risk involved in your transaction, however, apparently it gets accomplished every day without notice.

Here's the deal...Rolex USA has received permission to be the only one able to receive Rolex stuff via common carrier or the mail in the US. It has to do with trademark issues and although a person is permitted to bring in one Rolex from outside the US for 'personal use', any other import is prohibited unless you are Rolex USA.

So, if for whatever reason, US Customs decides that your package fits the daily profile of items to be opened, your watch will be confiscated and there will be no recourse, reimbursement or appeal.

That said, if you look at other Rolex or watch web sites offering sellers forums, you see that there are a large number of sellers outside the US who apparently do business all the time with US residents. I recall one thread on another web site where the buyer said he was ignorant about the import rules, bought a Rolex from an Asian seller, and was amused to find the package labled 'pencil boxes', and indeed, there was his ordered Rolex packed in a pencil box.

But I also recall reading another posting where someone admitted having a watch confiscated in customs.

The choice is yours. Clearly, some packages containing the coveted Rolex watches pass through on a daily basis and make it to your doorstep. I have no idea just how many Rolex's get caught and held from their prospective owners. You can get the legal verbiage of what I speak at the US Customs website, or just Google the key words and see what the search returns. There is a lot of discussion on this issue at other sites.

I wouldn't begin to offer any advice. It's not something I would do because of the risk, but then nobody died and made me King of the Rolex Illegal Import Society either.

[mamas]

hope you get it chip! it is a nice watch at a good price!!

[SLRdude]

Thanks guys!

I am a bit scared after reading your replies here, and talking to a few other folks.
Plus... the seller just raised his price a bit now.
I am not sure I want to end up with no money and no watch!!

[colemanitis]

It's a risk I wouldn't be willing to take. The decisions yours, though.

[eltonbalch]

Originally Posted by comatox

Thanks guys!

I am a bit scared after reading your replies here, and talking to a few other folks.
Plus... the seller just raised his price a bit now.
I am not sure I want to end up with no money and no watch!!

...maybe one of us can point you to a less risky situation.

[eltonbalch]

Here is a letter I got from the US customs web site--seems crystal clear to me!!


CLA-2-91:RR:NC:TP:344 817830
CATEGORY: Classification
TARIFF NO.: 9102.21.70
Mr. Wesley J. Johnston 914 Allan Road Rockville, MD 20850
RE: The tariff classification of a Rolex watch from Singapore
Dear Mr. Johnston:

In your letter dated December 23, 1995 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

You have not supplied a sample, however you describe the article to be imported as one Rolex submariner watch, model 16613-93153, gold and stainless steel construction. You indicate that the weight of the case accounts for 75% of the watch weight while the weight of the band accounts for 25%.

The applicable subheading for the Rolex submariner watch will be 9102.21.70, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for Wrist watches, ... other than those of heading 9101: Other wrist watches ... With automatic winding: ... Having over 17 jewels in the movement: With ... bracelet ... of base metal , whether or not gold- or silver-plated. The rate of duty will be $1.93 each plus 5.3% on the case plus 12.3% on the bracelet. We wish to point out, however, that a Rolex watch cannot be shipped to a person in the United States without prior written consent obtained from the trademark owner or its attorney. The Rolex trademark owner has recorded this trademark with the United States Customs Service and thus has been granted protection under the trademark laws from unauthorized importation of his product.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Stanley J. Schwartz at 212-466-5895.


Sincerely,

Roger J. Silvestri Director National Commodity Specialist Division

[SLRdude]

Yuck.

Sounds like buying locally is the way to go.

Thanks.

[OysterDavid]

By saying 'locally', you are free to order a pre owned or gray market Rolex and have it delivered from anywhere in the US. And keep in mind that if you're going to leave the US borders, you can always bring in the permitted one Rolex per person when reentering the US. Are you planning a winter trip to the Carribean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, South Pacific? Taking a cruise? There are those who've posted that if you've really got your eye on a specific Rolex, then flying from Dallas to Cancun on a low cost flight might net you a savings even after paying trip expenses. There are ways to acquire your Rolex without running afoul of the law.

[mike]

Check your PM.